If you salute the Deities, towards the rightTowards the right: Dextrovorsum. A quibble seems to be intended in the use of this word; Palinurus, in saying turn to the right hand, probably meaeis, sarcastically, turn to a right course of life. I think; now this is this altar of Venus before their door. PHAEDROMUS I have already vowed to bring meTo bring me: Me inferre. These words may mean, according to the context, either myself to bring or to bring myself. Phaedromus means to use them in the former sense; but, in his quibbling mood, Palinurus chooses to understand them in the latter. an early breakfast for my VenusFor my Venus: By his Venus he means Planesium, with whom he is desperately in love, and for whom and the Procuress he is carrying the jentaculum. This was a meal which, we learn from Martial, was generally taken about three or four o’clock in the morning. It was, however, taken by few but invalids and children. The reason of Phaedromus providing a jentaculum for his mistress is probably the circumstance of the Procurer not being likely to interfere, as he has determined to pass the night in the Temple of Aesculapius.. PALINURUS What? Will you then be giving up yourself as a breakfast to Venus?PHAEDROMUS Myself, and you, and all of these.(Pointing to the SLAVES.)PALINURUS Then you would have Venus to be sick outright.PHAEDROMUS(to an ATTENDANT.) Here, boy, give me the bowl.PALINURUS What are you going to do?PHAEDROMUS You’ll know directly. An old hag is in the habit of sleeping here, as the keeper of the door; the name of the Procuress is Much-bibber and Neat-bibber.PALINURUS Just as you would speak of a flagon, in which Chian wineChian wine: Chios, now Scio, in the Aegean Sea, produced the choicest wine, which was the only wine of Greece that did not require to be mixed with sea-water, to correct acidity and increase its durability. is wont to be.PHAEDROMUS What need is there of words? She is a most vinous soul; and the very moment that I’ve sprinkled this door with the wine, she knows by the smell that I’m here, and opens it forthwith.PALINURUS Is it for her the bowl is brought with the wine?PHAEDROMUS Unless you object. PALINURUS I’ faith, I do object; for I’d rather have it broken about him who has brought it. I fancied it was brought for ourselves.PHAEDROMUS Why don’t you hold your tongue? If any’s left after her, it will be enough for ourselves.PALINURUS What river is it, pray, that the sea does not receive?PHAEDROMUS Follow me this way, Palinurus, to the door; do you be obedient to me. PALINURUS I’ll do so.(They advance to the door of the PROCURER’S house.)PHAEDROMUS(sprinkling the door with wine.) Come, drink, you joyous door, quaff on, readily prove propitious unto me. PALINURUS(in an afected tone.) Door, would you like some olives or a tit-bit, or some capers?PHAEDROMUS Arouse and send out here to me your portress.PALINURUS You’re spilling the wine; what matter is it that possesses you? (Takes hold of his arm.) PHAEDROMUS Let me alone. Don’t you see? This most joyous door is opening; does the hinge make a bit of creaking? ’Tis a charming one.PALINURUS Why don’t you then give it a kiss?PHAEDROMUS Hold your tongue; let’s keep back the light and our noise. PALINURUS Be it so.(They stand apart, leaving the bowl near the door.)

(Enter the PROCURESS, from the house of CAPPADOX.)PROCURESS The savour of aged wine has reached my nostrils; the love of it has brought me in my eagerness hither in the dark; wherever it is, it’s near me. O capital, I’ve found it. (Stooping, and smelling at the bowl.) Hail to you, my soul, Joy of dear Bacchus;how enamoured am I of your old age. For in comparison with yours, the odour of all unguents were mere bilge-water; you are my myrrh, you my cinnamon, you my rose, you my saffron unguent and my cassia, you are my vine-palmVine-palm: Bdellium was a gum of fragrant smell and bitter aste, which exuded from a tree that grew in Arabia. It is described by the Elder Pliny, in his Twelfth Book. scent. But, where you have been poured, there would I most earnestly hope to be buried.PALINURUS(apart.)This old lady’s thirsty;